Odawa centre launches anti-violence initiative

By Cassandra Plourde

The Odawa Native Friendship Centre is working to engage Indigenous men and youth in understanding violence against Indigenous women.

The centre, located at the City Centre complex near LeBreton Flats, is a non-profit organization that provides services to Ottawa’s Indigenous community, including programs for all age groups, as well as cultural events and recreational activities.

The new program is named for an Ojibway phrase — Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin — that translates to “I Am a Kind Man.” The program aims to provide men with an understanding of violence against Indigenous women but also to support them in promoting an end the violence.

The initiative started in 2011 as a pilot project that was funded by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, and was brought to the Odawa centre in October.

Program organizer Jamie Dube held an open house information session in January where the community was invited for a free meal, documentary screening and details about the anti-violence project.

“Our goal is to end violence against women, but also to get males to have a healthy relationship with the women in their lives,” said Dube.

Since January, Dube has been working one-on-one with current participants, and hopes to begin group meetings as soon as there is enough interest.

He is now focused on networking and generating community support to bring in more clients.

As a result of his research into the surrounding community, Dube realized there is a high Inuit population in the Ottawa area.

In recent news from the OFIFC, he said, each delivery site may have the ability to tailor the program to their community. If given the opportunity, Dube said he could adapt his counselling strategies to what is best for the Inuit men of Ottawa.

“What we have here in Ottawa is different than, say, Red Lake, Alberta, so it’s important to be malleable to the community,” said Dube.

Dube made clear that Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin works to provide participants with a safe space where they are free to talk without the fear, shame and stigma when it comes to talking about violence or their feelings.

“I would like to get them to look at the roots of what causes them to be upset or be angry and work on the triggers,” said Dube. “We are not only concerned with men who have violence in their lives, but we also want to reach out to those men and males who want to be proactive in the fight to end violence against women.”

The majority of current participants have been recommended for the program by an Odawa court worker.

The goal of the Indigenous court worker program is to assist accused individuals to better understand their rights, options and responsibilities when appearing before the criminal courts.

But Dube said any Indigenous man is welcome to take part in the new anti-violence program.